Quality is #1 at QV’s

QV Cafe-Bakery
1701 Government Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 384-8831

I am what I am, and I’m hungry for yams. QV’s yam fries are the epitome of deliciousness, and in the times I’ve popped in here, the quality of these fries have always been consistently excellent. The aioli dip just makes them taste divine.

I’ve never had a bad yam during the times I’ve visited this diner.

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Golden Boy Blues

Golden City Restaurant
721 Fisgard Street
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 386-8404

Going out for dim sum with my relatives have often made for a traditional Sunday brunch. That’s when it’s most popular. But to sate a sudden craving, it can be found served on other days of the week and sometimes not even brought out in a cart. That’ll depend on the restaurant.

When going out with friends, it was a plan concocted the night before. My friend, Qué Banh, had a craving and checked to see who was interested in an impromptu gathering. Also there was her father, Chan Hai, and her friend, Triana Avis.

When we arrived at Golden City, Qué was disappointed that the carts weren’t being wheeled around. She said it took away from the entire dim sum experience.

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The Cook St Time Warp

Rosie’s Diner
253 Cook St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 384-6090

I must’ve walked through a time warp when I entered what felt like a 50’s era diner in the middle of Cook Street Village. Upon entry, I was greeted with many images of Betty Boop. Complete with some pre-requisite furnishings and many more artwork of this vintage icon, my pal Shane Priestly and I sat down and reminisced.

As odd as it sounds, a year after our graduation from the Applied Communication Program at Camosun, I had to ask the question of where are they now. True to the nature of any scholastic life, most of us went off to go spread our wings and fly away, trying to make a name for ourselves. Whoever we really wanted to stay in touch with afterwards is best left for sociologists to explain.

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Dining for the Undead

Fan Tan Cafe
549 Fisgard Street
Chinatown District
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-1611

J: It was dinner and a movie day. Ed and I were to be used as extras in a local indie zombie film. But before we reached the set, a little stop over in Chinatown was in order. Becoming the undead is hungry work and what better to serve two overweight zombies than brains in a bowl of broth.

E: Well, you were the sound man, and I was the hungry zombie. And, y’know… those dumplings that are found in won ton noodle soup are like little brains. They’re juicy, delectable and plump. And the best part, no humans were harmed in the making of this review. Well, maybe some pigs and sea life.

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A Little Taste of Italy


Pizzeria Prima Strada
2960 Bridge St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 590-4380

J: With our bellies empty and wallets full, Ed and I donned our tights and made the mad dash to Pizzeria Prima Strada. What was once a garage is now home to brick oven baked pizzas. It seems only fitting that the place which once tuned-up cars now services people.

And that’s a good thing because we were both in need of more than a regular service. With the amount of greasy pizzas both of us had consumed in the past, Ed’s rear end shocks needed replacing and I felt like a beat up 58′ Ford Edsel.

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Part Fish Part Deux

Redfish, Bluefish
1006 Wharf St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 298-6877

On my second visit to the diner that James and I began our culinary journey, I couldn’t help but notice that this operation’s computer system was down again. But at least their debit/credit card line worked. Either it’s just my timing or this place really needs to consider moving on up to more stable ground.

But I swear, timing is everything for finding tasty food here. I tried the Fanny Bay Oyster Sandwich ($10). and it was like a seafood version of a Philly Cheesesteak. Although I’m comparing the two like apples to oranges, I found the sandwich had more substance to it, than something tiny that James had.

There were at least three large oysters packed in this manwich and it had a lovely squish when I bit into it. And as I worked through the soft, light bread, the soft lemony taste from the onions proved I was eating a seafood sandwich. I don’t think I can eat any form of fried sea life without lemon.

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